Nanosized Zn0.6Cu0.4Cr0.5Fe1.5-xLaxO4 (x = 0 similar to 0.06) ferrites doped with La are synthesized by a rheological phase reaction method. Polyanifne (PANI)/ferrite nanocomposites are prepared by in situ polymerization method. The structure, morphology and ferromagnetic property of ferrite powders and nanocomposites are characterized by X-ray powder diffractometer (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), UV-visible spectroscopy (UV), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The results indicate that the PANT and nanosized ferrite powders can be combined effectively. The polymers can reduce the agglomeration of nanosized ferrite particles to some extent, which is good for the dispersedness and stabilization of nanoparticles. The PANI/ferrite nanocomposites under applied magnetic field exhibit the hysteretic loops of the ferromagnetic nature. The magnetic properties of nanocomposites are tailored by controlling the ferrite content. (c) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.